With the future of the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact agreement between Sri Lanka and the US on the fence, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz has sent an urgent letter to President Maithripala Sirisena seeking his intervention to ensure Cabinet approves the deal.

President Sirisena has refused to approve the agreement following allegations and concerns raised over some of the clauses. Ambassador Teplitz clarified some of the contentious issues in the proposed deal and assured that the agreement is transparent and is designed to foster the prosperity the President seeks to deliver to the people of Sri Lanka.

“I want to assure you that the US is committed to an open and transparent partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka. The MCC Compact, which is a development assistance agreement, is designed to foster the prosperity I know you desire to deliver to the people of Sri Lanka. Together, our two governments, over a number of years, have actively sought the input and advice from across the Sri Lankan Government, as well as from civil society, business groups, and academia to develop projects that would accelerate Sri Lanka’s development and economic growth to the benefit of all Sri Lankans,” the Ambassador said in the letter seen by The Sunday Morning.

The development agreement consists of projects focused on two key economic issues: transportation and land management. The Ambassador notes that the agreement has a five-year term and will not establish any permanent institution or agency. Sri Lankan-led teams will implement the projects and will be accountable to the Sri Lankan Government leadership and other stakeholders for their decisions.

“With regard to transportation, the assistance is targeted at increasing traffic problems in Colombo and Kandy. After compact projects are completed, urban Sri Lankans will have easier and safer commutes to work. Commuters will be able to get from central Colombo to the new expressways much quicker. Due to heavy traffic congestion, it takes nearly as much time to get from Pettah to the Southern Expressway as it takes to get to Galle once you reach the expressway. Improvements in over 205 km of roads in Colombo will significantly reduce the severe traffic congestion that is currently prevailing during peak hours of travel. Travel time within the capital will be reduced by approximately 40%. By refiguring bus routes and timings, compact projects will improve bus services, which half the population relies on to get to work, especially the poor,” she noted.

Transportation project benefits will also reach rural citizens, who will see their products go from farm to market more quickly as upgrades improve travel time on portions of the Central Ring Road by approximately 35% during peak periods of travel. This development agreement will also introduce safety measures that should prevent traffic deaths too. Meanwhile, transportation of goods to the Colombo Port will be expedited, thereby increasing Sri Lanka’s export potential.

“The Compact’s land management component will not transfer any land to the US or any US agency. Sri Lanka will retain management control over all projects. The land management project will build on existing government efforts, such as preparing a detailed map for over 46,000 square km of land in seven districts. In districts like Polonnaruwa, citizens will be able to convert their deeds into digital form in the land registry office, preserving them from damage, loss, and theft. The agreement will support modern methods of valuing lands the Government of Sri Lanka wishes to implement,” the Ambassador added. The Ambassador also reminded the President that with over 40 years of political experience, he must be well aware of the sustained investments the US has made in Sri Lanka’s development over many decades.

She asserted that the $ 480 million was a gift to Sri Lanka from the people of the US and was not a loan.

Chaos broke out at the BIA last night following the controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by an Indian company.

Norwegian Ambassador in New Delhi May-Elin Stener met National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office this afternoon. Second Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy John Bjerkem and NPP MP Vijitha Herath and Harini Amarasuriya attended the meeting.

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena took oath as the Governor of the Southern Province before President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago. The President's Media Division said Nazeer Ahamed was also sworn in as the Governor of the North Western Province.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka did not play any role in organizing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) May Day rally and therefore, he did not deserve any prominence, its Vice Chairman Sujeewa Senasinghe said today.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today criticized SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stating that when they were invited to lead the country following the aragalaya, they both refused, fearing their future in politics.

Director of the Uma Oya Multi Purpose Development Project – D.C.S. Alakanda has said that the Ceylon Electricity Board is saving around Rs. 80 million per day following the opening of the project.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will lead a second Aragalaya if this year's Presidential election is postponed, SJB Former MP Mujibur Rahman said as the party's May Day rally kicked off in Fort.

Apart from organizing a debate between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, let us publicly reassure the Sinhalese people, perhaps in a solemn ceremony, that they will not allow the Northern and Eastern regions to gain the right to self-determination, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne urged today.

SJB Chairman Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka made an early exit from the party's May Day Rally in Fort, a shortwhile ago. Fonseka was seen greeting MPs and Buddhist clergy before he left the rally.

As the Lok Shaba elections campaign heats up in India, the ruling Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) has invited representatives from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the United National Party (UNP) to gain awareness on the electoral process there, The Hindu newspaper reported.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will be the Presidential candidate representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). He made this revelation during the commemoration ceremony of the late T.B. Ilangaratne.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Rajitha Senaratne and Tatha Athukorala were notable abesentees at party's May Day Rally in Fort today. All Ceylon Makalal Kachchi Leader SJB alley Rishath Bathiudeen, was another abesentee. Another feature is the prominence given to MPs G. L Peiris and Dilan Perera. They were given front seats.

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been acquitted from the case filed against him over allegations of money laundering related to the purchase of a house in Colombo.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has filed a revision application in the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of the enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said today President Ranil Wickremesinghe invited her on several occasions to take up a position and support the government. Ms Kumaratunga told reporters that she refused the invitation, claiming that she could not take up any position until thieves were there in politics.

Conducting coaching or tuition classes aimed at the 2023 (2024) G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination aspirants will be prohibited from tonight till the exams are concluded, the Department of Examinations said.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara today hit out at the party's Organizer Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa who has been critical of the party leadership lately. Former MP Soysa was reported to have complained that he has been sidelined by the SJB leadership.

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe expressed confidence in exceeding the $ 5 billion mark by year-end, driven by the strong growth in the tourism sector.

A man in Mullaitivu District claimed to be the tallest person in Sri Lanka. According to BBC Sinhala Service, Gunasingham Kasenthiran, a former cadre of the proscribed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who lives in Kaiveli, Puthukudiruppu is seven feet two inches tall.

In an effort to nip any discord with India in the bud, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction led by Nimal Siripala de Silva as acting chairman called on Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and disassociated itself from remarks by its former Chairman Maithripala Sirisena implicating alleged Indian involvement in orchestrating the Easter Sunday attacks, an informed source said.